All the guests are given a precut piece of paper (could be different colors of construction paper to choose from), folded in half to make a card. Crayons are spread around for the guests to color a picture (baby related). Be sure to have guests put their names on the back in small print. All the cards are collected and the mom-to-be picks the best one as the winner. This makes a cute thank-you card for "mom" to use. A prize can be given to the winner if desired. Also the guests can self address an envelope (which would fit the card) to themselves, which makes it easier for "mom" to mail.

For a centerpiece I used 4 varied height hurricane glass candle globes put a paper (theme) or glass plate on top and paired the McDonald tiny beanies with their regular sized mother (about 11 different) filled the globe with springeri fern from my garden all over a blue or pink tulle netting with baby items scattered about or flowers. From the hanging light blue and pink curly ribbons. Cute and cheap.

Linda in Florida

If you are having sandwiches at all, I used small baby bottles to hold the mustard and mayo. You do have to cut the nipple a bit to get the stuff to flow freely. I also used a basket with a large handle and lined it with a recieving blanket to hold the buns. You can also put small empty boxes on your food table, drape baby or recieving blankets over them, and your table will be more interesting with the different levels.

When watermelon's are in season, use one to make a baby carriage. I cut the watermelon length wise, about 1/3 from the top and across about 3/4 of the watermelon. I then cut down at a right angle to form the cover over the baby carriage. I cut the watermelon into chunks ( or you can make melon balls if you have the time) and then added other fruit. Then filled the "baby carriage" with the fruit. I then took an orange and (if you are creative), carved the hair off the rine and it left the light orange meat showing. I then made Eyes out of half grapes and put a clove in the center of each. I cut a small hole in the orange to put a pacifier in for the mouth. ( You can use the hard plastic ones at the party store or a real one, to give to the mother to be) I put the "baby" under the carriage cover, on top of the fruit. I then carved wheels out of the watermelon rine from the part that is to be thrown away and attached them to both sides with toothpicks. I then cut a section of the "throw away" melon for the handle. I attached it with toothpicks too. This project doesnt take as long as it sounds. You can shorten this by just drawing a face (eyes and nose) and you don't have to have the wheels or handle. It is quite to talk and everyone is truly amazed at how real it looks. Have Fun!!

This is a very inexpensive but cute gift idea for the guests to take home. You will need:

• standard plastic spoons (blue or pink) or both
• lace to glue all around the outer edges of the spoons
• large cotton balls, to be glued to each bowl of the spoon
• small plastic babies to be glued on top of the cotton ball (plastic babies can be bought at almost any cake supply store, I got them for 10 cents each)

Put this all together it looks very cute and quite a conversation piece. To add a special touch I typed a little label with the mom's name and date of the baby shower on my computer and then cut out each label to fit the inside part of the handle on the spoon. And for a final touch made a little bow and glued it just above the cotton ball. I amazed myself, and loved each one. If you have any questions you can e-mail me n6r9@gateway.net.

Norma
Arizona

I used baby bottles as vases and filled them with daisies. It was very sweet. I think white tulips or some other delicate white flower might have the same effect.

We had a baby shower in December for a winter baby. We decorated a small Christmas tree in Blue and Pink lights and hung small baby items like rattles, small stuffed animals, bottles, etc., along with snowflakes. For favors we gave little angel and snowflake ornaments with pink and blue ribbons. We also hung little snowflakes from the ribbons around the shower umbrella. It was beautiful and fun to have a winter themed shower!

I have found a very practical and cute idea for a centerpiece. It is called a diaper cake. You will need at least one package of disposable diapers (depending on size), and several small baby things (brush, pacifier, rattle, ect....). You start with a diaper and roll it up, then add another , and another ..... you make it like a two tiered cake. make the first one a little bigger. Add a rubber band every once in a while to hold them together. This can turn into a 3 or 4 handed job. Then on the last layer on the outside, use ribbon to cover the rubber band, and tie in a bow. Push a straw or dowel threw the middle of the bottom layer and then push the top down over. Then put the baby items in the cracks between the diapers, and on top. This makes a great gift for the mother to take home.

At my shower we took inexpensive blue baby bottles, filled them with water, and tied it's a boy blue baloons to them. It was a very cute center piece for the tables.

Here is an idea to really get your guests involved with the new baby or brides future. The newest craze in crafts is the Self-made scrapbook/photo-album. You can go to a local craft store and purchase a photo album, scrapbook paper, markers, stickers, a few pairs of fancy cut scissors, and maybe a stencil or each guest makes a page for the photo album. You can also include a few rolls of film for the new parents. This is a great way them to show off their new baby and when the guests look through the photo album they can find their special page and it really makes then feel that added a little part of them selves. GOOD LUCK!

My mom made a really clever shower favor. She bought little bean bag animal keychains, in all different styles, boyish ones (elephants, giraffes, turtles, etc...). Then, she bought blue ribbon with my expected baby's name on it. She tied the ribbon in a bow, and hot glued it to the neck of the animals. I went around with the box, and everyone got to pick their favorite animal. It was a really cute Idea, and everyone loved the favors. Practical and Cheap!

--Amy, NY

I was hosting a shower for a friend and because we were having many people we did it in the church fellowship hall. Since it wasn't the nice cozy feeling of a home we used dividers that the church had and portioned off a smaller area and then pinned and hung baby blankets/quilts on them and it turned out really cute. (Each of the hostesses brought various blankets & quilts of all different colors etc. - they all went together well).

I've made nut cups from 5 "square pieces of Baby Flannel & the tiny gold safety pins. Fold the square piece of cloth into a triangle then pin the three points together. Immerse in heavy laundry starch, shape to a full open position and set on a flat surface to dry. (It's a good idea to have wax paper or something under them as they dry because the starch tends to puddle and does make a mess before it hardens.) These dry and look like darling little diapers. Fill with nuts and mints and give one or two to each guest. They really go over well.

Also I've cut the Baby Napkins that I've chosen for the shower into a kimono shape. That also gets lots of comments. Fold napkin lengthwise. Cut a small divot into the top fold for the neck, and while still folded cut the sleeves in from the opposite edge of the neck cut. Just make a two cuts forming a triangle with the outside edge. Open and your napkin looks like a kimono.

Or for a slightly different style on the kimono, cut the neck hole the same. Then open the napkin and fold both ends to the middle. Finger fold a lapel into both of the raw edges. Now fold the napkin backwards (so that both folded edges are together) and cut sleeves in as before. Open the napkin again and you have an open kimono. Try it you'll find they are darling.

Clglassdol@aol.com